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The Washington Connection 3-26-25

Welcome to the Washington Connection, the legislative and information service of the American Council of the Blind. The Washington Connection is brought to you by the ACB national office. If you have any questions or comments on the information provided, don’t hesitate to contact us and ask to speak with Claire Stanley.

The Washington Connection is updated any time we have new information to share with you. The following articles are available as of March 26, 2025. Messages 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 are new.

Thank you for calling the Washington Connection.

How to Support the D.C. Leadership Conference

 

Registration for the D.C. Leadership Conference is now closed. If you are unable to attend the conference either virtually or in-person but would like to help cover costs for the event such as streaming the event, visit https://bit.ly/3WhWmV9.

 

Did You Go to Capitol Hill During the Leadership Conference?

 

We hope everyone who came for Hill Day had productive meetings! We ask that those who visited their Senators and Representatives to fill out this survey for each meeting. If you include multiple members from your state affiliate, please only fill out one survey for each meeting. These surveys help ACB better understand how the Hill outreach went and what each office is prioritizing. The more detail, the better.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025HillVisit

Thank you!

 

Social Security Strengthens Identity Proofing Requirements and Expedites Direct Deposit Changes to One Day

 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraudulent activity. Over the next two weeks, SSA will carefully transition to stronger identity proofing procedures for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Individuals seeking these services who cannot use their personal “my Social Security” account, which requires online identity proofing, will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person. At the same time, the agency will expedite processing all direct deposit change requests – both in person and online – to one business day. Prior to this change, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.

“Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”

The agency’s two-week transition plan includes training frontline employees and management about the new policy and careful monitoring of policy compliance. At the conclusion of the transition period, on March 31, 2025, SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online “my Social Security” services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone. However, the claim cannot be completed until the individual’s identity is verified in person. The agency therefore recommends calling to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction. Individuals with and without an appointment will need to prove identity before starting a transaction. Individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online “my Social Security” services to change their direct deposit information, can visit a local office to process the change or can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment.

SSA recently required nearly all agency employees, including frontline employees in all offices throughout the country, to work in the office five days a week. This change ensures maximum staffing is available to support the stronger in-person identity proofing requirement.

SSA plans to implement the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service’s payment integrity service called Account Verification Service (AVS). AVS provides instant bank verification services to proactively and timely prevent fraud associated with direct deposit change requests.

The agency will continue to monitor and, if necessary, make adjustments, to ensure it pays the right person the right amount at the right time while at the same time safeguarding the benefits and programs it administers.

People who do not already have a “my Social Security” account can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.

 

President Trump Issues Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education

 

ACB has learned that President Trump has put out an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. A department cannot officially be eliminated without action by the U.S. Congress. However, the executive order is believed to include language to reduce the scope of work to only what is statutorily required. Congressman Massie previously introduced H.R. 899 to eliminate the Department by 2026 through the legislative process.

ACB is concerned about these actions. The U.S. Department of Education provides numerous services that cater to blind and low vision people. If the Department is eliminated, many of the responsibilities may go back to the individual states. In doing so, the department’s Office on Civil Rights (OCR) may be negatively impacted. Historically, the OCR has researched and ruled on instances where the rights of disabled students were being abused by their states; OCR is needed to protect educational rights at the state level. Blind students often struggle to receive a good education. We need to ensure that such already precarious educational situations are not at risk.

Additionally, other blindness-related programs are housed under the Department of Education. The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is located within the department. RSA governs vocational rehabilitation services, a resource greatly used by blind and low vision Americans. If the Department of Education is eliminated, we are anxious to learn which department will handle vocational rehabilitation services. Currently, much is unknown; programs can be relocated to alternative agencies and states may be able to pick up the torch and provide needed services. However, at this time, we wait anxiously. A good education and access to vocational resources can make or break the success of blind students and those in transition services.

 

Federal Appeals Court Affirms ACB’s Victory in Nationwide Disability Rights Class Action Against Quest Diagnostics for Use of Inaccessible Touch Screen Kiosks

 

March 4, 2025 — Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California affirmed ACB’s trial victory against Quest Diagnostics. In 2023, following a week-long bench trial in Los Angeles, a federal court in California had found Quest Diagnostics in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and enjoined Quest from continuing to violate the ADA. Quest appealed that decision.

Beginning in 2016, Quest Diagnostics began to install self-service kiosks at its Patient Service Centers, which allow patients to, among other things, check in for phlebotomy appointments in a private and independent manner.  Following complaints from ACB’s members that these kiosks as designed prevent people who are blind from accessing their services, ACB joined a civil rights complaint in federal court alleging that Quest’s kiosks deprived members of the blind community full and equal enjoyment of Quest’s services and failed to provide effective communication.

In 2023, the Court ruled in favor of ACB and a nationwide class of blind and low vision Quest patients. The court found that Quest violated Title III of the ADA in that Quest failed to effectively communicate with its blind patients regarding Quest’s services and facilities. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has now affirmed that judgment.

“Self-service kiosks are increasingly used in many aspects of daily public life,” said Scott Thornhill, Executive Director for the American Council of the Blind. “This appellate victory, upholding the Court’s decision that Quest violated the ADA and that the check-in services of these kiosks must be accessible to people who are blind, is another significant step towards ensuring that the rights to full and equal enjoyment and effective communication are protected.”

Deb Cook Lewis, President of the American Council of the Blind added, “Although the ADA is more than 30 years old, people who are blind are still forced to fight for full and equal access to healthcare. This judgment and appellate result sends a clear message that effective communication is required by law, and health care providers must ensure access for people with disabilities.” 

 

MGM+ Now Offers Audio Description

 

Joining our list of many streaming services offering audio description is MGM+, owned by Amazon. For some time now, Amazon's Prime Video has been offering MGM+ original programming and other titles with audio description, but the AD tracks were not available on the MGM+ streaming service itself. That has now changed, and we are able to list 101 movies and series with audio description on MGM+. The streaming service costs $7/month, or $59 per year, with a 7-day free trial. You can subscribe to the standalone app or purchase it as a channel subscription through Prime Video or various other places. The link to our MGM+ listing is now a main navigation link, but here is the direct link: https://adp.acb.org/mgmad.html.

 

NLS Fully Funded through End of September

 

ACB has learned that the National Library Service (NLS) will not be immediately impacted by the executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). NLS, which is under the Library of Congress, is part of the legislative branch. As a result, the executive order does not have the authority to dismantle the program. NLS is separate from IMLS. Additionally, through the recent legislative continuing resolution, NLS is fully funded through the end of September. Many of us are nervous about the many cuts that are occurring around us. Rest assured, at least at this time, that NLS is still funded and NLS books are still readily available to patrons.

Many of us want to know how we can help advocate to prevent the loss of library sources and accessible literature. The elimination of IMLS can impact network libraries; many NLS patrons visit such libraries for services. To advocate, speak out for funding of your local network libraries.

 

Call for Nominations for the 2025 ADP Awards

 

When something is good, we tell our friends. When something is great, we tell the world. It’s time to nominate the best audio description you’ve encountered for an ADP Award so we can tell the world what great AD sounds like.

The ADP Awards are sponsored by the ACB’s Audio Description Project to recognize achievement in audio description in seven categories, including media, performing arts, museums, the public sector, and research and development. Nominations will be accepted until April 7, 2025, and the winners will be announced in July at the American Council of the Blind’s conference and convention.

Who Can Submit a Nomination?

Everyone! You are welcome to nominate yourself, your local theatre or museum, or a well-known institution. Complete and submit the nomination form (https://forms.gle/G8Wxwuf4kKzrP6Ds7) today.

Who Is Eligible for an Award?

Any person, organization, or institution that fits in one of the categories below and is involved in the research, development, production, design, creation, and/or delivery of great audio description is eligible.

What Are the Criteria?

The most important criterion is that the person or organization consistently develops, creates, and/or makes available excellent audio description. We encourage you to address the quality of the AD and other accessibility elements in your nomination.

  • The AD script – clear, concise, and vivid word choices that describe crucial visual elements without offering opinions, explanations, or interpretations
  • The AD voicing – narration that enhances the experience by using a tone and energy level appropriate to the content
  • The AD sound – a smooth balance of dialogue, background noise, musical soundtrack, and audio description
  • Total access – how easy is it to access the audio description? Is the website and/or physical spaces accessible?
  • Inclusion – to what extent are people on the blindness spectrum involved in the creation of audio description, as writers, editors, sound engineers, or testers?

What Are the Award Categories?

There are seven categories. The same individual or organization may not be nominated in multiple categories.

  • Media
  • Performing Arts
  • Museums, Visual Art, Visitor Centers
  • Public Sector (government agencies – federal, state, or local)
  • International (people and organizations working primarily outside the U.S.)
  • Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Award for Audio Description Research and Development
  • Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description

Submit Your Nomination!

Help us celebrate the people and organizations that are contributing significantly to the growth of high-quality audio description. Submit your nomination online at https://forms.gle/G8Wxwuf4kKzrP6Ds7 by April 7, 2025.